Battle of Ituzaingó

Death of Federico de Brandsen during the battle

Date	February 20, 1827
Location	near Santa Maria River, south Brazil
Result	Argentinian tactical victory Inconclusive strategic results

Belligerents

Empire of Brazil

United Provinces of Rio de la Plata

Commanders and leaders

Marquis of Barbacena

Carlos María de Alvear

Strength

6,300 (3,700 cavalry, 2,300 infantry, and 300 artillerymen serving 12 guns)7.000-10.000
2.000 Austro-Prussian mercenaries

7,700 (5,400 cavalry, 1,800 infantry, 500 artillerymen serving 16 guns 6.200-7,700
1.800 infantry
5.400 cavalry
500 artillerymen

Casualties and losses

200 dead
150 wounded
150 captured
800 missing

142 dead
216 wounded

The Battle of Ituzaingó (Passo do Rosário for Brazilians) was fought in vicinity of Santa Maria river, in a valley of small hills where a stream divided the valley in two.

Following a continuous two years of sundry skirmishes inside the Banda Oriental (present-day Uruguay and southern Rio Grande do Sul) and along the border of this country with Brazil, the advancing Argentine Army (including Orientals) engaged in combat with the Brazilian Army.

The Banda Oriental was incorporated as a Brazilian Province in 1822 when Brazil became independent from Portugal. The centralized government under Brazilian emperor Pedro I led to many revolts inside Brazil. Seeing a chance to break the rule of a foreign nation over their country, some Orientals raised the flag of rebellion against the Brazilian government in 1825.

At first, the fight did not attract great attention from the Brazilian government, which was dealing with revolts even in Rio de Janeiro by that time. Nevertheless, as the rebellion spread fast, D. Pedro I had to gather an army any way he could to send to "Cisplatina" (the province's name under Brazilian control).

The Army was, at first, led by D. Pedro I, himself. Due to political problems, he had to return to the capital without getting close to the battlefield. By December 1826, the command was given to General Felisberto Caldeira Brant, Marquis of Barbacena.

By this time, the appeal the Orientals sent to Buenos Aires brought Argentina into the conflict. The Buenos Aires leadership saw a chance to bring back the Banda Oriental into the Argentine Confederation as a province. General Carlos María de Alvear was appointed as commander of the Republican Army.

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Wikipedia